COVID-19 What does it mean for the small business owner? We have been inundated with information from the news media, our government leaders, our friends and family. Most of what we are hearing is pretty unsettling.  For the first time, we have the government stepping in and issuing guidelines that dictate how we will conduct our lives. Not just our lives but our business as well.

Most of my clients are owners of small businesses. They might be the only one working their business or they might have a few employees that they are also feeling responsible for.

For many of them, their entire livelihood depends on them being able to conduct business. They are looking at how that could change, as this health issue continues to unfold.  Many  wonder what will happen if customers cannot come through their front door. What will happen if they have no employees to keep their business running.

As a business coach, I work with clients every day to help them get their business started. If they are feeling a little stuck, to help them see new possibilities.  Now, more than ever, I feel it is my job to help you find hope and a sense of control. Hope and control are things desperately needed as well as being strategic.  This means a strategy that positions your business from a place a strength.

In some cases, it might just be re-visiting what you are currently doing right and focus on that.  For others, it might just present you with a new way you can do business that you have been putting off or maybe never even thought of.  Now is the time for strategic thinking and planning. Don’t let those words scare you. Let them inspire you. We are in a “season” not a final destination.

This is an opportunity to pivot, if necessary, to find your place of strength and purpose. That will not happen if we bury our head in the sand and think everything is just fine. Nor will it happen if we are freaking out and making knee-jerk reactions without any facts before us.

“Next steps” will vary from one business to another based on a number of variables including what type of business you are in; how long you have been in business and how solid of a foundation you are starting from- just to name a few. The important thing to note though is that these are steps to move you forward and away from any sense of hopelessness or doom.

This is the time to reach out for another set of eyes to help you see the possibilities you might not have seen before. Don’t isolate yourself and try to “wait it out.” There is no “woo-woo” or “mumbo jumbo” here. This requires an action plan and more importantly- ACTION.

What are some things you can be working on now

1. The businesses that have variety in their business are the ones that survive. If you have a brick and mortar store do you have an online presence? If not, this is a great time to work on that. We live in a society that embraces online ordering. Make sure you are a part of that.
2. Continue to work on your relationship with your customers. Social media is perfect for this. People will probably be on social media more than ever. Take advantage of that by going on and talking directly to your customers. You can encourage them and relate to them. You can also educate them in what you have and what you do. Find products or services that you can showcase and talk about them. This can become both education and entertainment at the same time.
3. Take this time to think outside the box. If customers can’t come to you, how can you still serve them? Can you offer home or porch delivery? If not that, maybe you can offer curbside service, allowing them to stay in their car.
4. Even if people can’t come to your business you can be working on those projects you never seemed to have time to get to. Now there is the time to deep clean your store and create fresh merchandise displays. Spend some time researching new products or new product lines. Think about those areas that you could benefit from learning more. Use this time for education to improve how you do business. Google has a never-ending source of knowledge. Talk to your business coach and create a plan.

We will all get through this no matter what. Instead of just getting through let’s find ways to make it work to our advantage and come out better on the other side.